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Gen Rawat is the first Chief of Defence Staff

General Bipin Rawat. (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): A day before his retirement, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat was today named India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who will head the newly-established Department of Military Affairs in the Ministry of Defence.

The CDS will focus on better synergy between the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy and function as a single-point advisor to the government on matters related to the military.

The CDS will be the “first among equals” with respect to the three service chiefs, all four-star officers themselves who will retain the operational command of their respective forces.

The post of CDS, recommendation regarding which was under consideration for two decades, was created recently.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally promised to create the post when he addressed the nation on this year’s Independence Day, his first in the second term.

The government on December 24 took the decision to establish the post, saying it would be occupied by a four-star officer from the Army, the Navy or the Air Force.

Subsequently, the rules of the three Services were amended to allow a CDS to serve until the age of 65.

Till now, a Service chief retires after either completing three years in office or attaining the age of 62, whichever is earlier.

Gen Rawat was to retire tomorrow as the Army Chief after serving for three years in the post. He will be succeeded as the Army Chief by Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane, currently the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

Indian economy is expected to rebound in 2020: CII

New Delhi (NVI): India’s economy is expected to rebound in 2020 on the back of measures taken by the government and the RBI, coupled with easing of global trade tensions, business chamber Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has said.

CII President Vikram Kirloskar said the results of the government measures are fast percolating through and becoming increasingly evident on the ground.

 

“Nascent signs of recovery are noted in the form of improved PMIs of manufacturing and services, jump in passenger air traffic, sharp moderation in the decline in sales of passenger carsamong others,” he said.

 

“Though we may continue to see a subdued GDP print in the third quarter as well, but the quarters thereafter are likely to see a rebound,” he added.

 

CII feels that with the sharp moderation in growth, the time has come to adopt an expansionary fiscal policy.

 

CII President-designate Uday Kotak said, “just like our medium-term inflation target range, we can have a Flexible Fiscal Policy target which will set a central target for the fiscal deficit with a range of around 0.5% to 0.75%.”

 

“The additional availability of funds may be spent on key infrastructure projects which can be implemented quickly. This is likely to have a significant multiplier effect on the economy,” he added.

 

According to the CII, the initial difficulties associated with the measures of GST and the IBC are getting gradually ironed out and the industry is hopeful that this will result in the accrual of substantial benefits for the economy.

“The year 2019 will be remembered as one where the systemic clean-up of the financial sector picked up pace, which might have resulted in short-term pain for the economy,” it said.

 

“However, this tidying up will have extensive positive ramifications for the economy in the short to medium term,” CII added.

 

Meanwhile, Kiloskar said all these factors will have a significant bearing on growth in the next fiscal.

“Add to this, the easing of global trade tensions along with lagged impact of monetary easing coupled with improved transmission, and we are in for a gradual recovery getting firmly entrenched by the next fiscal,” he added.

 

CII has actively partnered with the government by providing constructive recommendations from the industry to kick-start growth in the year gone by.

 

“We will continue to engage with the relevant stakeholders in order to make sure that our economic growth moves to a higher trajectory,” CII said in a statement.

 

A critical issue that industry has highlighted in the past year is that of pending payments from government departments and CPSEs.

 

All outstanding payments need to be released at the earliest to vendors in the private sector. This would boost liquidity in the hands of the private sector which would reduce the need to borrow for meeting working capital requirements.

 

CII has also suggested the creation of an e-portal where invoices can be uploaded, and delayed payments can be tracked.

 

In addition, arbitration awards and cases under tax litigation need to be settled quickly and government receivables should not be treated as NPAs.

India’s forest cover has increased by 5188 sq kms: Environment Minister

New Delhi (NVI): India’s forest and tree cover has increased by 5188 sq kms as against the area found covered in the Forest Survey of 2017, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said today while releasing the India State of Forest Report here.

Out of this, the increase in the forest cover has been 3,976 sq kms and that in tree cover 1,212 sq kms.

In the present assessment, the total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.73 million hectares, which is 24.56 per cent of the geographical area of the country, Javadekar said.

Top three states showing increase in the forest cover are Karnataka (1,025 sq km) followed by Andhra Pradesh (990 sq km) and Kerala (823 sq km), the Minister said.

Mangrove cover has been separately reported as 4,975 sq km, an
increase of 54 sq kms as compared to 2017.

Top 3 states showing increase are Gujarat (37 sq km) followed by Maharashtra (16 sq km) and Odisha (8 sq km), Javadekar said.

India, Bangla border forces agree to take action against illegal border crossing

New Delhi (NVI): India and Bangladesh have agreed to take strong measures for prevention of illegal border crossing and to intensify the simultaneous coordinated patrolling in vulnerable areas.

The understanding was reached during talks between Directors General of BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) here. The Indian delegation was headed by BSF DG Vivek Johri and Bangladesh side was led by BGB DG Major General Md Shafeenul Islam.

The two sides discussed a host of issues, including illegal immigration, human trafficking and smuggling of drugs, gold, fake currency and cattle, an official statement said.

The heads of the two border forces also discussed action against remnants of Indian insurgent groups, construction of fence within 150 yards of International Border and developmental works within 150 yards of IB, it said.

Discussions were held to make the border guarding more effective despite the difficulties posed by the topography.

The BGB informed that Bangladesh does not allow its soil to be used by any entities or elements hostile to any country but agreed to take action against miscreants, if there are any, the statement said.

Regarding injuries or loss of life of BSF personnel on borders while preventing criminal activities, both forces agreed to make all possible efforts to curb the menace of cattle smuggling or any other criminal activity and to ensure tranquility on the borders.

With regard to the concerns of BGB for death of Bangladesh Nationals on borders, it was told that non-lethal weapon policy is strictly followed by BSF personnel on border. Firing is resorted to only in self defence, when BSF patrols are gheraoed and attacked by Dahs etc.

It was specified that BSF does not discriminate between criminals based on nationality.

On concerns of BGB of smuggling of drugs, narcotics, arms etc, both sides reviewed the steps being taken for prevention and agreed for sharing of real time information, if any, including the relevant information of the apprehended criminals.

The shared the importance of Coordinated Border Management plan in dealing with issues related to Border Security grid.

It was reiterated that joint vulnerable mapping of area to be carried out keeping in view the crime statistics and trends.

Both sides agreed for expeditious implementation of the decisions taken in the conference.

The DG level talks between India and Bangladesh have been continuing since long. The talks are held twice every year – once in India and once in Bangladesh. The talks follow the methodology of border level coordination conferences.

Govt notifies divyang-friendly features

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules for providing divyang-friendly features in buses.

The amendment provides for priority seats, signs, securing of crutches, canes, walkers, hand rail/stanchions, controls at priority seats and wheel chair entry/housing/locking arrangement for wheel chair for the divyangjan.

Such facilities for differently abled passengers or passengers with reduced mobility will be checked and ensured at the time of Fitness Inspection for Buses.

The amendment shall come into force on 1st March, 2020.

The draft rules to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 were published vide notification number G.S.R 523(E), dated the 24th day of July, 2019, inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby. The notification has been issued after duly considering the objections and suggestions received from public in respect of the said draft rules.

Dense fog envelops Delhi, temperature dips to 2.6 degrees Celsius

air pollution in asia pacific region
File Photo
New Delhi (NVI): Delhi was enveloped by a dense fog today as the minimum temperature dropped to 2.6 degrees Celsius from 3.2 degree Celsius recorded yesterday, bringing further chill in the weather in the national capital.
According to IMD, the visibility dropped drastically in the national capital because of the fog.
The minimum temperature of 2.6 degrees Celsius is five degrees below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 13.0 degree Celsius, it said.
The weather forecast department said Delhi and its neighbouring cities have been facing a severe winter chill this December.
“Not just Delhi, but neighbouring Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad are also facing severe cold conditions,” IMD stated.
‘Cold day’ conditions are declared when the day’s maximum temperature is below normal by more than 4.4°C.  A ‘severe cold day’ is when mercury remains more than 6.4°C below normal through the day.
Meanwhile, the air quality in national capital worsened today, sliding into “severe” category from “very poor” category.
According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at  436 which falls in the “severe” category.
The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

Bit improvement in Delhi temperature

New Delhi (NVI):  The cold wave conditions eased a bit in Delhi today, with the minimum temperature rising to 3.4 degrees Celsius from 2.4 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.
The minimum temperature of 3.4 degree Celsius is four degrees below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 13.0 degree Celsius, it said.
Delhi and its neighbouring areas have been facing a severe winter chill over the last few days, making it the coldest December in decades.
“Not just Delhi, but neighbouring Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad are also facing severe cold conditions,” IMD stated.
‘Cold day’ conditions are declared when the day’s maximum temperature is below normal by more than 4.4°C.  A ‘severe cold day’ is when mercury remains more than 6.4°C below normal through the day.
Meanwhile, the air quality in national capital today remained in the “very poor” category for the seventh consecutive day.
According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at  395 which falls in the “very poor” category.
The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

J&K rolls out TB elimination action plan

Jammu (NVI): With an aim of seeing Tuberculosis (TB)-free Jammu and Kashmir by 2025, government of the Union Territory today launched the TB elimination action plan.
While launching the programme, Commissioner of Health and Medical Education Atal Dulloo said the elimination of TB is a clear vision set by the Prime Minister.
“We have to undertake the activities under the National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination forward in a mission mode for ending the epidemic by 2025,” he said.
“The goal of the government is to accelerate the universal TB coverage and preventive services,” he said.
“The objective is to promote health seeking behaviour in the community for early case detection and prevention of emergence of new cases of TB,” he said.
He emphasized on the need to ensure patient centric care and expand TB care through engagement of various stakeholders, including the community.
“Significant progress has been made but a lot more needs to be done and government is fully committed to intensify its efforts to achieve the target by 2025,” he added.
He also pointed out various components for TB elimination strategy and laid stress on generation of awareness through Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM).
“Locals will be involved for planning for TB elimination by creating aggressive Information, Education and Communication awareness using all forms of media about TB and generating data base of vulnerable populations,” he said.
“The government has set the target to achieve the sustainable development goals related to TB by the year 2025 as against the global target of 2030,” he said.
“The country is implementing a National Strategic Plan 2017-25 to end TB by 2025,” he said.
“Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched in J&K in April 2004 and was then extended to all districts of J&K by September 2005,” he added.
“There are 12 district TB centres, 104 treatment units and 164 designated microscopic centres in J&K,” he further added.

Date of filing IT returns extended in J&K, Ladakh till Jan 31

New Delhi (NVI): With internet services remaining suspended in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has further extended the due date of filing of Income Tax Returns and Tax Audit Reports there to January 31, 2020.

The relaxation of date will be applicable to all categories of assessees in J&K and Ladakh, who were required to file ITRs/TARs, a CBDT statement said.

It said the due date was being further extended “on consideration of reports of disturbances in internet facility in certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir”.

The extension of due date comes as internet services continue to remain suspended in J&K and most of Ladakh since August 4, when the Centre moved to revoke the special status of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated it into two Union Territories.

Travel rule for OCI cardholders relaxed till June-end

New Delhi (NVI): Those having Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards should get their OCI cards re-issued after attaining the age of 50 years or if they are below 20 years of age and getting passport renewed.

The rule have been emphasised by the Union Home Ministry even as it asked the External Affairs Ministry to relax it temporarily till June 30, 2020 to enable OCI cardholders to travel to India without any problem.

OCI cardholders are foreign citizens of Indian origin.

“This Ministry (of Home Affairs) has been informed that immigration authorities/airlines in some countries are not allowing OCI cardholders to travel to India on the following grounds: The OCI cardholder has not got the OCI card re-issued mandatorily after attaining 50 years of age or the OCI cardholder below 20 years of age has not got his/her OCI card re-issued on renewal of passport,” a note from the MHA said.

“In this regard, it is informed that instruction regarding re-issuance of OCI card on renewal of passport or on attaining the specified age is a requirement expected to be timely complied with by the OCI cardholders,” it added.

However, it said that in view of the problems being faced by OCI cardholders regarding re-issuance of OCI cards, MEA is requested to advise Indian Missions of the following temporary relaxation till June 30, 2020.

In case an OCI cardholder below the age of 20 years has not got the OCI card re-issued on change of passport, he/she may travel on the strength of his/her existing OCI card bearing old passport number till June 30,2020 subject to the condition that along with the new passport, the OCI cardholder carries old passport mentioned in the OCI card, the note from MHA to the MEA said.

In case an OCI card holder who has attained the age of 50 yeras and got his/her passport renewed subsequently but has not got his/her OCI card re-issued on renewal of passport, he/she may travel till June 30, 2020 on the strength of the existing OCI card along with the new and old passports, it said.

The OCI cardholders of the above categories may be advised to have their new OCI card issued in the meantime, the note said.

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